Welcome to the official information and update journal for the Round Robin Photo Challenges. This is where you will find all the details for each photo challenge, such as the subject, the link to blog or journal where each challenge is being hosted, and all updates to the players participation lists.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

As promised, Robins, this is the weekend when we announce the topic for the next Round Robin Photo Challenge, which will take place January 2, 2010. Happy New Year, Happy New Challenges! This one was suggested by Vicki of the blog Maraca. I'll let her introduce it:

==Roots==

NOW CLOSED!

"Roots. Everyone does gnarled branches, twisty trunks, and pretty flowers, but roots have a lot of character too."

They certainly do! But there are other kinds of roots, in case you'd like to photograph those instead: root vegetables, roots of gray hair when it's time to get out the hair coloring again, roots of your family tree, roots of behavior.... Feel free to get creative, whether you're investigating the gnarly bottom of an olive tree or defining your roots some other way!

Whatever you choose to photograph, you have five weeks to do it, in between your holiday shopping and other activities that keep us all busy this time of year. Again, the Challenge date is January 2nd, so there's no big rush at this end. But don't forget to do it, either, okay?

As always, we ask that you please, please RSVP in the comments below. Include your name, the name of your blog, and your blog's web address, thus:

Yes, I wood like to play!

JohnnyAcorns and Appleseedshttp://twistyngnarly.blogspot.com

Now listen up, folks: we really need you to leave your complete info if you want to be listed as participating. I literally just pulled an all-nighter and then some, trying to collate info on who all has participated in the RRPC this year, along with everyone's current blog title and URL. We've had nearly a hundred individual Robins this year, with more than a few overlapping first names, blog title changes and entirely different blogs being used by the same person in different Challenges. There have also been quite a few typos in the URLs, so please proofread your comment!

Ideally, you should also leave a comment on the 2nd to let us know you've posted. Please do NOT post before the Challenge date, nor more than six days later than that. On the day would be perfect, thanks! :)

Sunday, October 18, 2009

We've just about reached the time of year when everyone is extra busy with holiday shopping, baking, parties, family reunions, etc. Participation in memes naturally drops off between Halloween and New Year's, displaced by "real life" - whatever that is!

Rather than fight this very reasonable trend, Carly and I are taking a short break. The Round Robin Photo Challenges is going on hiatus for the second time ever, giving us - and you - a chance to rest and recharge, and catch up with the rest of our lives. Let's start fresh with our next Challenge date in the new year, on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010. Just so we're not completely leaving you in the lurch, we'll announce the next topic on Thanksgiving Weekend. Be sure to stop back then for our next inspiring (we hope) theme, and to RSVP.

And thanks, as always, for your support and participation in the Round Robin Photo Challenges. Carly, Steven and I couldn't do it without you!

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Save the date! Our next RRC will be held on Saturday, October 17th, and comes to us by way of our friend Terri, author of the blog, "Ways I See The World." She has suggested we take on "Shooting In Low Light, Inside And Out." Sounds pretty straight forward, grab your cameras and show us what you find in low light settings. I hope to see all of you, and maybe a few new faces as well. Here are a few things to keep in mind about how we play...

1. Please give us your R.S.V.P on or before the day of the challenge. It is especially helpful if you sign up no later then the night before, as that is when we compile the Linking List for you.

**R.S.V.P. in the following format...

1. Your First Name or Online Nickname2. The name of you blog, journal or website3. The full address of where your RRC entry can be found on the day of the challenge.

EXAMPLE

CarlyEllipsishttp://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

**We need your complete information each time you play.

2. DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY PRIOR TO THE CHALLENGE DATE! It will do nothing but cause confusion on the day of the challenge. Besides, we don't post the Linking List until then, so please DON'T POST EARLY... ok? On the other hand, if you can't post on the day of the challenge, for whatever reason, just let us know and we will make a note of your intention to play on another day, next to your name on the Linking List so folks will be able to find your entry.

3. If you are new to the Round Robin Challenges, please read the Welcome Entry which can be found on the sidebar. It explains everything you need to know to play along. New folks are always enthusiastically welcome, so let us know if this is your first time playing so we can give you a proper welcome!

Ok, that's it, you know what to do. See you on Saturday, October 17th, 2009!

-Carly

By the way, if you enjoy playing the Round Robin Challenges, you might also enjoy our other memes...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Hi, Robins! Once again I'm going to combine two people's topics, not because I want to use up the suggestion pool extra fast, but to give both people credit for their similar ideas. For Saturday, October 3rd, the topic is

In Motion

NOW CLOSED!

Bats leave a bridge over the Rillito at sunset, Tucson, AZ.

Vicki of the blog Maraca calls her version of the topic "Greased Lightning," and explains it this way:

One thing I'd like to learn to do is panning, or following a moving object with the camera so that it stays in focus while the background blurs, giving a sense of motion. I tried it while my son flew his model airplane this fall, without much success. This shot might not have been bad if I had had more of the ground in the frame. Let's call this challenge "Greased Lightning!"

Terri of the blog Ways I See the World calls her version Movement Shots - "birds, children, insects."

So let's do this! Let's capture objects in motion, whether it means moving the camera to keep up, or capturing the blur of movement against a static background.

You know how this works, right?

Do NOT post before the Challenge Date, Saturday, October 3rd!

DO RSVP in the comments below, thus:

I'm moved to play along with this topic!

JeffJeff's Speed Bloghttp://vroomvroom.blogspot.com

DO include a link back here. If you like you can also include our Linking List to other Robins' blogs, which will be posted here around midnight as the posting date begins.!

Got it? Good! Now go be photographers! And don't forget these other memes:

Sunday, September 06, 2009

BOK... BOK... BOK... BOK... means our next challenge is "CHICKENS." Sherrie, author of the blog, Sherrie's Stuff, suggested this subject all the way back in January, somehow this seems like the perfect time to take it on!

Save the date! This challenge will take place on Saturday, September 19th 2009. Everyone is welcome to join us, but there are a few things to keep in mind about how to play this meme...

1. DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY PRIOR TO THE CHALLENGE DATE! As Steven says, "this is not a race." And besides, we don't post a linking list until the day of the challenge, so posting early does not get you more traffic to your blog, in fact, it just confuses things. SO, let's not do that ok?

2. Please try to R.S.V.P. your intention to play, prior to the challenge date. We usually compile the Linking List the night before each challenge, so it's a big help if we know at least by the night before each challenge, who will be joining us.

3. VERY IMPORTANT: We need your complete information at the time you R.S.V.P. your intention to play. Here is an example of how to R.S.V.P...

(EXAMPLE)

CarlyEllipsishttp://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

4. If you are playing along with the Round Robin Challenges for the first time, be sure to let us know so we can give you a proper welcome!

We need your complete information EACH time you play, again, so we can compile a Linking List for the day of the challenge.

There, that's all there is to it! If you have any questions, feel free to email either Karen or myself, and we will answer you as soon as possible! You can find our email addresses, as well as past Round Robin Challenge topics, on the sidebar. We will see you on Saturday, September 19th, 2009!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Hi, Robins! Our next Round Robin Photo Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, September 5th. It's one of Carly's topic suggestions:

Politics

NOW CLOSED!

Here is Carly's original description of the topic:

Whether we like it or not, at least a little politics is a part of all of our lives. City government, state and federal it affects us all. With the upcoming elections, there will be a lot of campaign signs, and political statements being made. Photograph something that says "Politics" to you. Have some fun with it. Buttons, yard signs, a candidate's personal appearance in your town, a protest, a political bumper sticker, anything to do with politics that strikes your fancy.

Here in the U.S. we're a few months away from an off-year election day, but there's a lot of political stuff going on right now in the fight over health care reform. Maybe a mayor is fighting for re-election, or someone is collecting signatures for medical marijuana. Heck, even the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is at least vaguely political. City Hall, a prime minister's official residence, a school board meeting or a vintage I Like Ike button can all be considered political. So grab your camera and photograph the seats of government, the signs, the paraphernalia, the politicians or the people!

Remember all the usual stuff:

Do NOT post before the Challenge Date, Saturday, September 5th!

DO RSVP in the comments below, thus:

I elect to play!

AbeLog Cabin Taleshttp://fourscore.blogspot.com

DO include a link back here. If you like you can also include our Linking List to other Robins' blogs, which will be posted here around midnight as the posting date begins.

DO remember the name of this meme. It's ROUND Robin Challenges, not Red Robin!

That's it for now, folks! Go be photographers! And don't forget these other memes:

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Save the date! Our next challenge will take place on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009! It comes to us by way of the challenge pool and was suggested by Robinella, author of Robinella's Blog.

From birds in the wild, to the canary you keep in a cage on your desk, it's all good, and I can't wait to see it, but first, lets go over a few details about how we play this meme...

1. If this is your first time playing... WELCOME!Please take a moment to read over the WELCOME ENTRY AND RULES OF PLAY. It can be found on the sidebar.

2. If you decide to join us, please R.S.V.P. in the following manner...

(EXAMPLE)CarlyEllipsishttp://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

We need your information EACH time you play a challenge. Please folks, it is very helpful if you could provide your information as requested.

3. DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY PRIOR TO THE CHALLENGE DATE! We won't be linking to you until the day of the challenge, therefore it does no good to jump ahead of everyone else. As my pal Steven says, "there's no need to hurry, this isn't a race."

Ok, it's as simple as that! If you are still unsure how to R.S.V.P, just follow my example either on this page or in the comment thread. If you have any questions, feel free to send an email to either Karen or myself, our contact information is on the sidebar.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Hi, Robins! For the next Challenge, let's combine several suggestions to focus on something we reach for a lot in the summertime - something to drink! Based on my version of this theme, we're calling it

Quench My Thirst - Take a photograph of your favorite beverage, in an artistic light. Include a recipe if you have created a completely unique drink.

So there you go! Photograph a bottle or other drinking vessel, its label, and/or whatever liquid refreshment is inside. Make it artsy, make it fun, make it send us running to the fridge or the supermarket, or even the liquor store. It's up to you! Just be sure to follow the usual guidelines:

1. Do RSVP in the comments below with your first name or online handle, your blog name, and your blog URL, thus:

I'll drink to that!

CrazyDrinkin' With Joehttp://hellomrdennehyhehe.blogspot.com

Be sure to mention is it's your first time participating, so that we can welcome you properly. If you've recently changed blogs, blog title or blog url, please tell us that, too!

2. Do NOT post early! Post your entry no sooner than Saturday, August 8th, any time during that day. In a pinch you may post up to six days later, but it's best if you can do it on the day.

3. DO include a link to this blog or this blog entry. If you like, you can also include some version of our linking list, which will be posted here around midnight as the Challenge date begins.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Save the date! Our next challenge, "My Vehicle Of Choice" will take place on Saturday, July 25th! This challenge comes to us by way of Suzanne, author of the blog, "Suzyq421's Photo Blog."

It's a pretty simple idea, just grab your cameras and photograph your car. If you don't happen to drive, then your bike or your boat, or your favorite form of mass transit will done just fine. Heck... even good old feet will do as well! That's all there is to it, well, except for a few things we ask you to keep in mind about the challenges...

1. DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY PRIOR TO THE CHALLENGE DATE! You will not be linked to until the day of the challenge, so it serves no purpose to post early, and it makes me grumpy... lol... (Just Kidding) so let's not do that... ok? :)

2. Please R.S.V.P. by leaving us your information.

Your first nameThe title of your blog, journal or websiteThe full address of your blog, journal or website

We need this information EACH time you play. Why? Well, because folks sometimes change the address of their blog, or they change the name of their blog, and it can be confusing when we try to link to you. It can be time consuming to create the Linking List each time we play, and as it is for your convenience, please try to help us out by remembering to leave your information so we don't have to track you down, or try to guess if you have played with us before. We have several members with the same first name... let us know who you are by leaving your complete information. :)

3. If you are playing with us for the first time...WELCOME. Please say so when you R.S.V.P. so that we can give you a proper welcome on the challenge day. Also, take a moment to read the Welcome Entry & Rules Of Play. You can find the link on the sidebar, and it will help familiarize you with how we play.

NOTE:By the way... If you enjoy the Round Robin Challenges, you might also consider playing along with the individual memes Karen, Steven and myself host on our own blogs. Karen took over the Weekend Assignment reins from John Scalzi, when he left AOL in January 2007, and has hosted it ever since. Steven showcases Feline & Furball Fridays, which gives us a chance to show off our favorite pets, and I host the Monday Photo Shoot, also a John Scalzi meme, each Monday. Check 'em out! Everyone is invited to join, and you always have a full week from the time the meme is posted to post your photo!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Hi, Robins! Our next Challenge was suggested by Gina of Gina's Space back in 2007, and again by Nancy of Nancy Luvs Pix in January of this year. What is it? Glad you asked! The Challenge for Saturday, June 27th is

WILDLIFE

Nancy's description is as follows:

This idea/photoshoot is, "Wildlife"...anything that you feel would fit that (could be a child!).

The concept is simple enough, but can be tricky to pull off. Just tonight, for example, I tried in vain to photograph some bats that were flying overhead just before dusk. Those little guys are fast!

So. Do coyotes cross your yard? Do 'possums play near your pool? Maybe there's a park nearby, or a forest, a river...in short, anywhere wild critters are found. Hey, in a pinch, even a cockroach counts! Capture your wild thing with your camera, and get ready to post the results on Saturday, June 27, 2009. As always, we ask that you do NOT post before that date, and that you DO RSVP in the comments below, thus:

Yes, I'm wild about participating!

MarlinWild Kingdom Bloghttp://doyouremembermyshow.blogspot.com

Be sure to check our our Welcome Entry and Rules of Play if you are new to the Robins or haven't played in a while. If this is your first time with us, please let us know in your RSVP so we can welcome you properly! On the other hand, if you have played before but are posting to a different blog this time, or perhaps just renamed it, please let us know that, too! Got it? Good! Go be photographers! We'll see you back here on Saturday, June 27th for the Round Robin Photo Challenge!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

NOW CLOSED!It's time for a new challenge! How about the one suggested by Robinella, "Looking Up!" Pretty simple concept, grab your cameras, point them toward the sky, and snap, snap, snap! Birds, Bees, Trees, Airplanes, Blimps, Road Signs, Billboards, Satellite Dishes, Grain Silos, the list of possible subjects is endless. On the other hand, maybe you prefer to shoot something representational of the idea of "Looking Up!" In that case, you might photograph something that inspires a motivational mood in you. Something positive that makes you feel like things are LOOKING UP. It's up to you to interpret the meaning. Just have fun with it.

Save the date! The challenge will take place on Saturday, June 13th, 2009. As always there are a few things to keep in mind about the Round Robin Challenges...

DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY PRIOR TO THE CHALLENGE DATE!

DO let us know if you are playing with us for the very first time so we can give you a proper welcome!

DO R.S.V.P. in the following format...

(Example)CarlyEllipsishttp://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

DO leave us your complete information each time you play.

DOlet us know if the title or address of your blog has changed, so we can keep the sidebar updated properly.

You can post your entry any time between the midnights of the day of the challenge, or if need be, for up to one week late. Just let us know you are going to be late, so we can make a note of it on the day of the challenge. You can contact either Karen, or myself. Our email addresses are on the sidebar.

Okay, that's it. Go be photographers! We will see you on Saturday, June 13th 2009!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Hi, Robins! We had another great turnout yesterday, and now it's time to announce the next topic. This one was suggested last year by Jan, AKA Whammy, of The Ellis Family Cincinnati. I'll let her introduce it:

One of our daughters gave me an idea for a Round Robin...what about "Growing"? We thought we would leave it wide open. Since it was spring it could be flowers in your yard, a baby bird in a nest, grass, budding...or kids growing up.

There you have it! The Challenge for Saturday, May 30th is

Growing

NOW CLOSED!It's spring again, for a little while longer. Flowers, baby birds, kids, kittens, etc, are all growing, right? So let's give this a shot! You may want to show evidence of growth in a single photo, such as new leaves or outgrown clothes. Or you can give us a then and now comparison of something that's grown since you first photographed it. Got it? Good!

Now, here's a quick reminder how all this works.

1. DO RSVP in the comments below, giving us your name, blog name and web address on this format:

Yes, I'm growing to play!

CliffordA Puppy's Predicamenthttp://bigreddog.blogspot.com

Please do this EVERY time, because otherwise we have to research where you're posting your entry. Not only does this slow things down for us, but it causes problems when we guess wrong!

2. DO let us know in your comment if this is your first time playing, or if you're using a different blog from last time. Many people either change blogs or run more than one, and it's easy for us to get confused, especially since there may be two or more Robins with the same first name, or two blogs with the same or similar titles.

3. DO check our Welcome Entry and Rules of Play if you haven't played before, or have any questions. You can also email Carly or Karen for clarification. Our email addresses are on the sidebar.

4. DO NOT post your entry before the Challenge date, May 30th, because people won't see it if it's already a stale entry when everyone else is posting and blog-jogging. You can post it up to six days later, but it's better to post it on the right day. Most blogging software lets you schedule an entry to publish automatically on a certain date, which comes in handy if you're going to be out of town.

That's it for now! Go be photographers, find and photograph your growing things, and get ready to post and view them on Saturday, May 30th! Be there! Aloha!

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Save the date! Saturday, May 16th will be the next time we meet, ready to show off what we find for our next challenge... "Floating!" The idea was submitted by Vicki, who authors the blog, Maraca, during on of our recent challenge pool roundups. Sounds like fun... right? Birds do it. Clouds do it. Feathers off of birds do it. Lots, and lots of things will fit the criteria for the next challenge, so grab your cameras and get to it! We will see you back here in a couple weeks, but first, there are a few things to keep in mind about how we play the Round Robin Challenges...

***R.S.V.P. to play this challenge in the following format...

(Example)CarlyEllipsishttp://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

***We need you to provide us with your information each time you play. It is a huge help when we compile the Linking List for each challenge.

***If you have played with us before, but you decide to use a blog different than the one you usually use, please let us know. We get new players all the time, and it can be confusing, especially when we have players with the same first name.

***If you haven't participated before, let us know so we can give you a proper welcome! :)

***PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED DAY OF THE CHALLENGE!

We don't add the Linking List until the day of the challenge, so doing the challenge early won't get you listed any sooner. As my pal Steven says, "It's not a race." :)

Ok, that's all there is to it. If you have any questions, feel free to email Karen or myself, and we will be happy to answer you. Steven is on hiatus from the challenges for a little while, so please remember to email Karen or myself for the time being. You can find our email information on the sidebar, as well as the list of past challenges. If you have a great idea for an upcoming challenge, feel free to submit it. Maybe we will pick your idea next!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Hi, folks! We had a great turnout yesterday, with more than a few new Robins as well as lots of participants who have been playing along with us for months or years. Well done, one and all!

This time out, we're going with one of my old RRPC suggestions. It's been languishing in our topic pool for quite a while now, so I've decided to give it a chance. The Challenge for Saturday, May 2nd is

See the Music!

NOW CLOSED!You can be literal with this one, with photos of sheet music, musical instruments, stereo equipment etc., or more abstract, showing something that reminds you of a particular song. Illustrate a Rolling Stones lyric, or photograph your favorite local band, or catch your kid practicing the guitar or clarinet! If it's suggestive of some kind of music, it counts!

As usual, we want to remind you of a few guidelines, as you prepare to post your awesome musical pictures:

1. Be sure to RSVP in the comments below, using this format:

Yes, I'll play!

Yo YoWood and Stringhttp://myconcertblog.blogspot.com

Be sure to let us know if you're new to the Robins, or posting to a different blog than before. Sometimes I rely on the sidebar's list of Robins to see who has posted so far, and that doesn't work if the blog your Challenge entry is on isn't listed. Please help us direct everyone properly to the relevant blog by providing your full info each time.

2. WAIT for the Challenge date! Please post no sooner than Saturday, May 2. Just past midnight local time is fine. If need be you can be up to six days late, although we don't recommend it. But please do NOT post early!

3. Please acknowledge the Round Robin Photo Challenges in your entry, including either a link back here or the linking list we post around midnight Pacific each time. This helps everyone find each other's entries.

4. Sometimes people ask whether they can post more than one photo. As someone who frequently goes way overboard herself, posting lots of photos, let me assure you that the answer is yes!

5. Have fun!

Now - go be photographers!

Karen

(Photo: a brass quintet accompanies the St. Michael and All Angels choir and organ, Easter morning 2009.)